Denmark has branded the closure of Aalborg Airport and reported drone sightings at several other airports as a possible “hybrid attack”, heightening concerns over regional security.
Authorities confirmed on Thursday that unauthorised drones were spotted near Aalborg—one of the country’s largest airports, serving both commercial and military purposes—prompting its temporary shutdown. Police added that drones were also reported near airports in Esbjerg, Sønderborg and Skrydstrup, though those facilities remained open.
The incident follows a similar disruption at Copenhagen Airport earlier in the week, when unidentified large drones forced a four-hour suspension of flights. The repeated appearances have raised fears of coordinated interference, echoing drone-related airspace violations reported in Estonia, Poland and Romania in recent weeks.
Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the scale and coordination of the activity as evidence of a “professional actor” rather than amateurs. “This is what I would define as a hybrid attack using different types of drones,” he said at a news conference. However, Poulsen stressed that Denmark does not currently view the situation as a direct military threat and has not yet considered invoking NATO Article 4, which requires consultation among allies in the event of perceived threats.
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The defence minister’s comments align with wider NATO unease. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump suggested that NATO states should shoot down Russian aircraft if they breach allied airspace. A day later, the European Commission stated that downing intruding fighter jets remains “on the table” as a potential response.
Police said “more than one” drone was detected around Aalborg and later left the area. They emphasised that investigations were ongoing and that it was too early to identify the actors or motives. Authorities also noted that Aalborg’s closure disrupted Denmark’s armed forces, as the airport doubles as a military base.
The Danish Armed Forces confirmed they are assisting in the investigation but declined further comment. Police pledged to neutralise drones if possible, while stressing that no evidence yet points to a direct attack on Denmark.